Walk into the Breslin Center or Crisler Center when these two teams meet, and you'll feel it immediately. It is a thick, almost heavy tension. People in Michigan don’t just "pick a side." They live it. Families are literally split down the middle, with one sibling wearing Spartan Green and the other in Maize and Blue. It’s messy.
Honestly, the Michigan State versus Michigan basketball rivalry has undergone a massive facelift lately. For years, it was the Tom Izzo show. He was the constant. But now? We have Dusty May in Ann Arbor, a guy who doesn't just want to win—he wants to fundamentally change how Michigan plays. The clash of styles is fascinating. You have Izzo’s blue-collar, "war on the boards" philosophy grinding against May’s modern, high-octane, portal-heavy approach.
It's spectacular.
The numbers that actually matter
If you look at the record books, Michigan technically leads the all-time series 97–92. But hold on. That number is a bit of a lie. Seven of those Michigan wins were vacated due to the Ed Martin scandal. If you ask a Spartan fan, the real count is much closer, and they’ll be quick to remind you that since 1950—when MSU actually joined the Big Ten—the Spartans have been the ones holding the hammer.
Check out the recent momentum. Heading into their 2026 matchups, Michigan State has been on a tear, winning the last four meetings. Last season was particularly brutal for the Wolverines. They got swept. On March 9, 2025, the Spartans walked into East Lansing and handed Michigan a 79-62 loss that wasn't even as close as the score looked.
Here is the current state of affairs:
- Total Meetings: 196 (as of early 2026)
- Longest Win Streak: Michigan (12 games, back in the 1920s)
- Recent Trend: Michigan State has won 7 of the last 10
- The Izzo Factor: Tom Izzo has 35 career wins against Michigan
Numbers are fine, but they don't capture the "Mateen Cleaves" effect. Remember the 1996 car accident? That single event during a recruiting trip basically funneled Cleaves to East Lansing and arguably shifted the trajectory of both programs for a decade. Those are the types of weird, pivot-point moments that make this rivalry so jagged.
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Dusty May vs. Tom Izzo: A clash of generations
Everyone is talking about the coaching box. You've got Izzo, who at 71 is the elder statesman of the sport. He’s a legend. Eight Final Fours. One national title. He hates the transfer portal—or at least, he’s very vocal about how it’s "ruining" the soul of the game. He wants guys who stay for four years and learn to defend until their feet bleed.
Then there’s Dusty May.
He’s 48, aggressive, and lives in the portal. He built a roster at Michigan that looks like a fantasy team of mid-major stars and high-upside transfers. In 2025, he secured the #1 transfer class in the country. It’s a total 180 from the Juwan Howard era and a light-year away from Izzo’s "internal development" model.
Basically, it's a proxy war for the future of college basketball. Can the old-school way still beat a team built in an off-season?
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What most people get wrong about the rivalry
People think this is just about "Little Brother." That’s a football term Mike Hart coined years ago. In basketball, the roles are often reversed. Michigan State has two national titles (1979 and 2000) to Michigan’s one (1989).
The Spartans have 10 Final Fours. Michigan has 6 (officially).
There’s a weird inferiority complex that flips depending on whether you’re on the gridiron or the hardwood. When these teams play, the "Little Brother" talk usually stays in the parking lot because on the court, MSU has been the Big Ten's gold standard for the better part of 25 years.
The 2025-26 Season: Who has the edge?
As we sit here in January 2026, the Spartans are ranked 12th in the AP Poll. They are 14-2. Jeremy Fears Jr. has been a revelation at point guard, averaging nearly 9 assists a game. He’s the engine. If he’s healthy, MSU is a Final Four contender.
Michigan, however, is a wildcard. They are explosive. They can put up 90 points on anyone, but their defense is... well, it's a work in progress.
The first matchup of 2026 is set for January 30 at the Breslin Center. If you’re betting, keep an eye on the rebounding margin. Izzo's teams usually live or die by whether they can snag 15+ offensive boards. Jaxon Kohler has been a beast on the glass this year, averaging a double-double. If Michigan’s frontcourt can’t keep him off the glass, it’s going to be a long night for the Ann Arbor faithful.
Why this game still matters for the Big Ten
The Big Ten is massive now. With UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington in the mix, the "local" feel of the conference is fading. That makes Michigan State versus Michigan basketball even more vital. It’s the anchor. It’s the game that reminds everyone that the heart of this conference is still in the Great Lakes region.
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It’s about the Izzone screaming until they lose their voices. It’s about the Maize Rage trying to get under the skin of a freshman guard.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the transition: Michigan wants to run. If MSU forces them into a half-court grind, the Spartans win.
- Keep an eye on Jase Richardson: The Spartan sophomore has a habit of scoring in bunches during rivalry games.
- Check the injury report: Jeremy Fears' health is the single biggest factor for MSU's ceiling this season.
- Crisler vs. Breslin: Home-court advantage is massive here. MSU is 19-3 at home against Michigan since 2000. Winning on the road is rare.
If you’re heading to East Lansing for the January 30th game, get there early. The atmosphere is going to be suffocating in the best way possible. This isn't just a mid-winter conference game. It's a fight for the identity of Michigan basketball.
To stay ahead of the curve, track the defensive efficiency ratings of both teams leading up to tip-off. Michigan’s ability to defend the perimeter has been their Achilles' heel, and if the Spartans shoot better than 35% from deep, the game usually tips in their favor. Monitor the "points off turnovers" stat—it’s been the deciding factor in three of the last four meetings. Reach out to local alumni groups for viewing parties if you can't get a ticket, because Crisler and Breslin have both been sellouts for weeks.